New Earth Church
New article name is 'New Earth Chuch'
New Earth Church
The New Earth Church describes itself as a unique post modern church. It was formed in the first decade of The Twenty-first century, and calls itself as a 'modern religion movement', meaning, a religion that does not accept the mythologies of ancient religions as literal fact, but seeks to use modern thought to bring salvation to individuals and communities. The church is open to scientifically validated knowledge AbOUT the CoSMoS and its creation, and defines G-o-d, not as a mythical creator being, but rather, "a word that invites us to meditate on the great mysteries of our existence". As such, there is no worship or mystical rituals in the New Earth Church. Instead, the church promotes itself as a place of healing through companionship - an anti-dote to modern life and suffering, and an inspirational place of learning and celebrating life and its blessings.
The founder of the New Earth Church, is Micha-El, born in Melbourne Australia, and is by profession, a Therapeutic Health Practitioner, specialising in respiratory therapy (and a published author on respiratory health), who is deeply interested in the human condition and the effect of suffering on disease, and the need for a new thinking on religion, that transforms religion into a dynamic, relevant and effective voice in the modern world.
The church suggests ten 'Central Concepts' that form that 'way of Kin-ship', and these are described in the churches' central text - the Gospel of Kin (currently published only on-line at www.newearthchurch.org). The church suggests a path of personal self growth, through self understanding, meditation and attending church gatherings.
'Compassionate living' is the highest 'enlightenment' and highest goal of all companions of the New Earth Church. Through attainment of this practical enlightenment, a companion is said to become a blessing to those they meet, and through their compassionate actions, the beneficial message of kin-ship is extended to more and more people.
The New Earth Church promotes itself as essentially a grass-roots movement of modern-minded people. Its universality and openness seeks to overcome traditional sectarianism. The church hosts regular local gatherings, where the main aim of the gathering is the promotion of self healing and improved effective living, via companionship and learning the ways of kin-ship. The church officially does not have a membership requirement, and all people, from all walks of life are openly welcomed to join their local kin-ship group.
The church invites individuals, who have completed any university course, and who have an affinity with modern religion, to become an endorsed Host of their own local group, facilitate gatherings and assist others who are interested in the Gospel's message. The central church offers prospective Hosts, a full training course, and insists start up costs are minimal, to enable as many people to set up their own local group without the traditional constraints of owning buildings or providing elaborate ritual aids, such as altars or ICONS.
The church condemns any cult like behaviour, and suggest freedom of thought and association is a core characteristic of the church. The church is structured to pay tax at the standard corporate rate, to reflect its belief that no religious organisation should enjoy special treatment and that state and religion remains separate.
The Churches' Ten Central Concepts are :
1. Religion should be free of myths,superstitions and literal truths. Instead, the church suggests we should follow a 'middle way', doubting gently and welcoming mystery with awe and wonder.
2. Religion is, first and foremost, about earthly relationships. The church is concerned with fostering effective personal and communal relationships here on this earth, and not so concerned with supernatural relationships.
3. Through Kin Meditation, the church teaches people how to nourish inner peace
4. Through helping people to become free of needless desires and unhealthy attachments, we can find 'salvation' - a modern salvation -which means living effectively, with a healthy mind and body.
5. Having found inner peace and personal salvation, the church suggests compassion will be the natural response. Compassion becomes the mark of modern enlightenment, and the blessings of compassionate living can be extended to many.
The church then suggests 5 additional 'central concepts':
6. We should protect the freedom of all living beings, including animals
7. We should protect our earth's environment
8. We should strive for social justice and for peaceful harmony between all peoples.
9. We should avoid idolatry, and instead seek to become free-thinking, mature & interdependent
10. We should set aside a common day of solace to re-create ourselves, be with family and friends, abstaining from daily labour and commerce, not causing others to work for us or serve us. We should also spend time, either alone in meditation, or collectively as a New Earth church, to celebrate and study the ways of Kin-ship.
These are the 10 Central concepts that form the Way of Kin-ship - the way of the New Earth Church.
The New Earth Church also introduces its own Kin-ian calendar, that marks the special days of celebrations. The unique calendar, has 28 days per month. A new month, called Sirius (named after the brightest star as seen from earth), is inserted after June. Each month consists of 4 equal weeks, and each week has 7 days, culminating on the Sunday - the common Day of Solace.
Each December Solstice marks the new Church year. The year concludes on the eve of each December solstice, and the new annual calendar commences the day after the December solstice. Therefore, 'new years day' is not part of any month, but an additional day, inserted to balance the solar year with the 13 month calendar. Every four years, an additional day is simply added after the new years day, as an additional leap day to keep the calendar in sync with the 365.25 day solar year.
The equinoxes and solstices are days of special celebration, whilst Christmas becomes the churches 'Kin-ship day' - a day of family thanksgiving and celebration of families - the source of all human life.
References
<website : www.newearthchurch.org Gospel of Kin Author : Micha El, 2009>
== [http://www.newearthchurch.org]==
New religious movements